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China

• Government planning increased regulations on Christian worship

  The Chinese government is reportedly planning to tighten regulations on Christian worship this year. China's State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) has announced that it will "guide Protestants worshiping at unregistered churches into worshiping at government-sanctioned ones." A VOM source in China confirmed that during a detention in 2010, police told him they would stop being "nice" in 2011. The report also stated, "SARA will strengthen regulation of foreign nationals' group religious activities in China and resist foreign infiltration under the pretext of religion." This new policy could mean increased persecution of Christians in China, especially those who worship in unregistered churches. Christians faced similar pressure from the government before the 2008 Olympics, when several Christians were detained, forced from their homes and put under house arrest.

  Pray Chinese Christians will continue to look to their God, knowing that He will give them courage and resolution in trial and opposition. Pray a new wave of intense pressure will not deter followers of Christ in China from proclaiming God's Word. Pray believers unjustly imprisoned will persevere in faith.

  You can learn more about the persecution of Christians in China by visiting the Country Report at theChina Country Report.

• Update: Case of imprisoned Christian up for review

  Alimujiang Yimiti and his family Photo from ChinaAid

  In November 2010, the People's High Court of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, China, accepted the appeal of an imprisoned Uyghur house church leader, Alimujiang Yimiti, to have his case reviewed. Alimujiang was arrested in January 2008 and sentenced in 2009 to 15 years' imprisonment for "providing state secrets to overseas organizations" (click here for more information).

  Since his arrest, Alimujiang has had extremely limited contact with his family. In December, his wife, Gulinuer, and lawyer, together with a lawyer who understood the Uyghur language (in which Alimujiang's case files are written), prepared an appeal. The judge, however, informed them that the collegiate bench had already studied the case and allegedly made a decision. Although authorities initially claimed that Alimujiang's lawyer and family would be able to meet with him, they have repeatedly denied them visits. At last report, neither Alimujiang's family nor his lawyer had received any further information on his case.

  Pray for Alimujiang's freedom and complete exoneration. Pray the re-opening and review of his case will expose the injustice of the situation. Pray those responsible for creating a false case against him will repent of their unjust actions. Pray Chinese authorities will uphold the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. Pray the Church in China will continue to grow in strength and resilience amid suffering and adversity.

  You can find out more about the suffering Church in China at theChina Country Report.

• Police raid large Christian meeting

  Chinese authorities raided a large Christian meeting in coastal Shandong province in early January. More than 1,000 believers were gathered at the meeting, which was held in a church building in Cangshun County. In the afternoon, local Public Security Bureau officers burst into the church and forced the meeting to end. They detained an unspecified number of believers, including Lu Daihao, a well-known evangelist visiting from Taiwan to speak at the event. Local Christians have reported that Pastor Lu has left Cangshun, but his exact location was unknown at last report.

  Pray Pastor Lu and all those involved in this raid will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that Chinese Christians will continue to proclaim the gospel lovingly and boldly, even to those who oppress them. Pray for religious freedom to be truly upheld in China.

  For more on the trials facing Christians in China, visit theChina Country Report.

• Continue to pray for missing Christian

  ChinaAid president Pastor Bob Fu (far left) and others attempt to deliver a petition calling for Gao Zhisheng’s release. Photo from ChinaAid

  For nearly two years, Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been detained by authorities (click here to learn more). His whereabouts are largely unknown, causing deep anxiety and concern among his loved ones.

  In recent days, an interview with Gao was released to the press in which he discloses the torture he endured at the hands of Chinese authorities. He describes a particularly brutal period when three police officers stripped him naked and pistol-whipped him for two days and two nights. When these officers tired, they bound Gao's arms and legs and threw him on the floor until they were ready to resume.

  "That degree of cruelty, there's no way to recount it," said Gao. "For 48 hours, my life hung by a thread." Gao said this was the darkest period in the 14 months he was secretly detained until his release in March 2010. But, two weeks after his March release, he again disappeared, and there has since been little news about him.

  In December 2010, a worldwide advocacy effort was launched on Gao's behalf. ChinaAid coordinated a campaign with the aim of delivering 150,000 signatures to Chinese embassies around the world. It was recently reported that Chinese embassies and consulates refused delivery of ChinaAid's petition, causing disappointment among those who hoped that the campaign would raise public awareness of Gao's plight and pressure the Chinese government into action.

  Pray Gao will be safely returned home at last. Pray he will continue to find comfort in the everlasting love and mercy of a Saviour who never forsakes His children. Pray Gao's family will also find refuge in God, casting all of their fears and cares on Him. Pray those involved in the petition will not be discouraged by recent events, but have enduring faith in God's justice. Pray Chinese Christians will continue to boldly proclaim the righteousness of the Lord.

  You can find out more about Chinese Christians suffering for their faith at theChina Country Report.

• Authorities raid worship service in Hunan Province

  Chinese authorities raided a house church worship service held by members of the Hope Church in the city of Changsha, Hunan Province, on December 12. At approximately 9:30 a.m., dozens of believers were gathered for worship when police officers and government officials arrived on scene. The authorities forced the believers to disperse and confiscated several items belonging to the church, including the podium, chairs and air-conditioner. They also took into custody two of the believers -- Pastor Zing Jinfu and Minister Le -- who were taken to a local police station and questioned for a couple of hours.

  It is not known if this raid was part of the nationwide "Operation Deterrence" campaign that the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party launched on December 1 against all house churches in the nation. Even if it was not officially part of this campaign, there is fear that local authorities could be increasing the frequency and severity of their moves against this church in the coming weeks in relation to the nationwide crackdown.

  Pray that members of the Hope Church will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ask God to embolden all believers in China to continue to proclaim their faith in Him boldly and demonstrate His love to others in the nation. Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Stand in solidarity with missing Christian

  Gao last seen with his family in January 2009 Photo from ChinaAid

  For nearly two years, Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights lawyer in China has been detained by authorities, his whereabouts often unknown (click here for more details). Initially, authorities seized him from his home in Shaanxi province on February 4, 2009, and held him incommunicado for 13 months. In early April 2010, news surfaced that he had been released. Shortly thereafter, however, he was again reported missing.

  In an October radio interview, Gao's wife, Geng He, expressed her and her family's eagerness to find him: "My family only wants to get some news of him. When I talked with his sister, she said: 'He is a member of the family. No matter what he does, such as eating the daily meals, sleeping or even taking a walk outside, anything would make us miss him. Where on earth has he gone?' The entire family of mine is puzzled and we have been looking for him ever since."

  Pray for continued resilience of faith and comfort for Gao's loved ones in these uncertain times. Pray that Gao will continue to look to his Lord and Father for strength and guidance as he suffers. Pray that Chinese authorities will justly respect religious freedom. Pray that the Church in China will continue to show the light of God's love and truth and remain strong amid opposition.

  For more information on the suffering of China's Christian community, go to theChina Country Report.

• Church building demolished in Jiangsu province

  The rubble of the Chengnan Church Photo from ChinaAid

  A church building was recently demolished in Tinghu district, Jiangsu province, China. On November 19, Chengnan Church -- that belongs to the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and is legally registered with the government -- was destroyed on orders of the local government. The demolition came as a surprise, as registered churches in China do not typically face the same intensity of persecution from the government as non-registered churches. In response to the situation, ChinaAid President Bob Fu said, "While the government's powerful backhoes can destroy church buildings, they can never destroy the faith in the hearts and souls of believers. No one can stop the vigorous growth of the church in China. The Cross will surely be hoisted high in China by the glory of God and the sickle and ax will surely fall in shame."

  Pray for the members of this church, as they are now without a building in which to hold worship. Pray that, despite the loss of their building, they will be reassured of their lasting and more precious inheritance (Hebrews 10:36, 37). Pray that the Word of God will continue to be declared with clarity, boldness, love and power by all believers in China.

  To find out more about the opposition facing Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Churches raided; members detained

  Officials in China raided at least two churches in recent weeks. On November 10, Public Security Bureau officers and representatives from the Bureau of Religion disrupted a church meeting being held in the city of Shuangcheng, Heilongjiang province. The general ledger of the church was confiscated. On the morning of November 12, local officials and members of the Bozhou Bureau of Religion raided a house-church meeting held in Pingyao county, in Shanxi province. Several items belonging to the church were confiscated. Officials took at least 10 believers away, and five of them were detained until late afternoon.

  Pray for encouragement for these believers as they face oppression for their faith. Pray that the Church in China will undergo such trials with Christ-like endurance and faithfulness. Pray that the Chinese government will truly respect the religious freedom of its citizens.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Three schools raided; believers questioned

  A classroom in China

  Officials invaded kindergarten classes in the Southern provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, China on November 7. All three schools raided are under the leadership of Sun Haiping, who is the wife of formerly imprisoned house-church pastor Wang Dao (click here for more information). Sun is also part of the Chinese delegation currently in Washington D.C., which focuses on issues of democracy and religious freedom.

  During the raids, officials questioned teachers and children concerning where Sun was and what her purpose was for traveling to the United States. They also asked if the school owned Bibles or distributed them to students. Sun said of the incidents: "If this was a normal school inspection, the PSB (Public Security Bureau) would not have been there, and it would have been led by the Education Bureau. The schools are at risk of being shut down."

  Please pray that Sun Haiping and her husband, Wang Dao, will stay strong and faithful. Pray that the children in these schools will be able to continue receiving quality education from equipped and dedicated teachers. Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China.

  To learn more about the sufferings of Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Authorities raid Christian's home

  Pastor Hua Huiqi Photo from ChinaAid

  Approximately 10 police officials raided the home of a Christian in Beijing, China, in an effort to search for Hua Huiqi, a formerly imprisoned pastor. Every room in the house was ransacked, including a bedroom belonging to a child. The officials questioned the homeowner about intentions to meet with foreigners later that evening.

  In response to the incident, the owner later spoke these powerful words: "Because the Beijing police have crossed the line, and have blatantly and continually abused the basic rights of my entire family, I hereby announce that today I will begin to continually fast and pray. I will pray to the Lord to bless China and to fill it with righteousness! I also request, brothers and sisters, that you pray for me and my family, and that God may grant us freedom from fear!"

  Pray that this believer will continue to set Christ apart as Lord without giving in to fear, always prepared to share Christ while living a holy life (1 Peter 3:14-17). Pray that other Christians facing opposition in China will also remain confident in Christ and look prayerfully and faithfully to Him. Pray that China will no longer violate the human rights of its citizens. Pray also for safety for Pastor Hua Huiqi.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in China, visit the Country Report at theChina Country Report.